Improving workplace culture for MDs
Improving care for diverse patients requires improving the workplace culture for physicians. We investigate burnout and support among physicians with the goal of creating system change for a healthy and resilient workforce. A national survey of U.S. physicians found that even the most resilient physicians were at risk of burnout due to inefficient workflows and processes, excessive workloads, and organizational climate factors. Further, harassment and gender discrimination against female physicians are contributing to elevated rates of burnout. Resolving burnout is crucial not only for the health of physicians, but also for the vitality of the healthcare system as physician turnover and medical error attributed to burnout cost the U.S. $4.6 billion each year.
Our mission is to shed light on the challenges physicians face within our professions as we believe that eliminating harassment, reducing burnout, and changing the face of academic medicine to better reflect our diverse patients are critical pathways towards achieving health equity.
Resilience and Equity in Academic Medicine, Selected Projects:
Presentations:
For International Women’s Day 2023, Dr. Sarkar participated in a panel discussing leadership with women leaders at UCSF. The panel discussed topics such as the key benefits of holding a leadership position, unique paths to leadership, and insights into the challenges and obstacles that panel members have had to overcome.
Dr. Sarkar was one of three speakers to present at the UCSF Department of Medicine Grand Rounds commemorating International Women’s Day on March 10, 2022. Dr. Sarkar’s presentation focused on structural barriers and gender bias.